Katy Perry is Grateful Russell Brand is Sober Following Amy's Death

Russell Brand publicly struggled with his drug and alcohol addictions, and has now been very outspoken on the issue. After Amy’s death, Brand wrote a touching tribute to the singer and then asked the public to take the disease of addiction more seriously.

Perry appeared on Good Morning America on Monday, where she said of Winehouse’s passing:

“My heart felt really sad. My husband, who’s been clean and sober for almost nine years, you know, I see him working (on) a (sobriety) program and working on himself every single day, and I see how much work it takes to be clean and sober when you have addiction on your hands.”

Perry continued: “So it gave me a real gratefulness for my husband, who got clean when he was 27. And I just feel sad and I hope she finds peace.”

Katy said she didn’t know Winehouse, but Russell Brand was apparently a friend and a fan. He called Winehouse a musical “genius”.

Brand is a former sex, alcohol and heroin addict. In 2004, Brand’s one-man show, Better Now, was taken to the Edinburgh Festival and gave an honest account of his addiction. He has been off of drugs since 2002.